Notes and Editorial Reviews

Szeligowski (1896-1963) spent most of his career in Poznan, so it's fitting that he be promoted by what in effect is his hometown team. On evidence here, he was a composer of substance. The program opener, the Comedy Overture, starts like any other anonymous bit of vaguely cheerful, conservative, Socialist Realist musical twaddle (it was composed in 1952), but the ensuing Polish Dances are attractive and at times cleverly scored, while the Piano Concerto (1941) would not sound out of place in the Paris of Les Six. It's an extremely entertaining and well-written work, full of attractive ideas and really fun to hear.

The Nocturne (1947) owes a clear debt to Szymanowski: it consists largely of pure, luscious, atmosphericRead more chromaticism, and it contains some very striking passages for orchestral piano. The Concerto for Orchestra dates from 1930, making it one of the earliest such works in the medium (not to mention the earliest work on the disc). It's the most challenging piece here: harmonically advanced, intricately scored, and more than anything else revealing a composer of genuine substance who can follow modern trends while still appealing to an audience. The performances are all very committed and vital, though Bogdan Czapiewski's piano is a touch twangy, and to be honest the Poznan Philharmonic is not world-class. Still, there's more than enough artistry in evidence here to stake Szeligowski's claim to your attention, and to show off his impressive compositional range.